Parlor Organ

Posted by: Wilhelmina

Parlor Organ - 06/08/05 03:27 AM

Hi I am new to this, I joined as I have spent weeks on the net trying to find out some history of a beautiful Mason & Hamlin Parlor Organ & would love to learn more about the history of it. I do not play an instrument but always wanted to learn as a child but never had the oppertunity. Any way I fell in love with this incredible piece of furniture that houses the organ, I purchased at an Auction. The Style 512, & No 152354, on the back it has 9277 on it.It is black timber with gold engraving & is highly ornate, I just feel the need to know the history of this beautiful piece. I am building my own house & want to put it in pride of place, the Sheritan Hotel put it up for auction that is all the history I have. Would any one be able to steer me in the right direction thanks.
Posted by: RickG

Re: Parlor Organ - 06/09/05 03:21 PM

Is this a reed organ that has belows that have to be pumped by your feet while you play? M&H were known for building reed organs as well as pianos.
Posted by: Elkhound

Re: Parlor Organ - 11/06/06 01:32 PM

 Quote:
Originally posted by Wilhelmina:
Hi I am new to this, I joined as I have spent weeks on the net trying to find out some history of a beautiful Mason & Hamlin Parlor Organ & would love to learn more about the history of it. I do not play an instrument but always wanted to learn as a child but never had the oppertunity. Any way I fell in love with this incredible piece of furniture that houses the organ, I purchased at an Auction. The Style 512, & No 152354, on the back it has 9277 on it.It is black timber with gold engraving & is highly ornate, I just feel the need to know the history of this beautiful piece. I am building my own house & want to put it in pride of place, the Sheritan Hotel put it up for auction that is all the history I have. Would any one be able to steer me in the right direction thanks. [/b]
Try The Reed Organ Society .
Posted by: Tom Tuner

Re: Parlor Organ - 11/19/06 10:11 AM

M & H is noted for very high quality reed organs (and pianos). There is plenty of material available from The Reed Organ Society (ROS.org). The six digit number would date the organ to about 1896 or so.

Tom
Posted by: U S A P T

Re: Parlor Organ - 11/20/06 10:10 AM

interesting side note on pump organs.

There are a lot of pump organs in central and western oregon and in historical photos because settlers that came out often had to beat winter blizzards over the cascades or had to run the rapids in the Columbia River Gorge and had to get rid of things on the way.

A lot of pump organs (and pianos if you can believe that people stuffed those in covered wagons) were left strewn on the Oregon Trail and the Mormon Trail as a result.
Posted by: Tom Tuner

Re: Parlor Organ - 12/06/06 02:01 PM

I have a nice copy of a catalog engraving of a M&H Model 512 "Queen Victoria" organ that I would post if I could figure out the protocol for doinso.

Tom
Posted by: ipgrunt

Re: Parlor Organ - 12/15/06 06:36 PM

 Quote:
Originally posted by USAPianoTrucker:
interesting side note on pump organs.

There are a lot of pump organs in central and western oregon and in historical photos because settlers that came out often had to beat winter blizzards over the cascades or had to run the rapids in the Columbia River Gorge and had to get rid of things on the way.

A lot of pump organs (and pianos if you can believe that people stuffed those in covered wagons) were left strewn on the Oregon Trail and the Mormon Trail as a result. [/b]
Yes, we have quite a few here in the Front Range of the Rockies, also. I used to play one for the Sunday School kids at our church.

These are easily repaired, and quite fun to play (one hour of playing gives a good workout, also, for hands and legs!)